The Contributions of Blacks in Akron: 1825-1975
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. The Contributione of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975 A Doctoral Diesertation Presented to The Graduate Faculty of The University of Akron In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Cuctor of Philosophy shirla Robinson McClain - June, 1975 A697991 , . .._.~ . -_ The Contributions of Blacks in Akron: 1825-1975 Shirla Robinson HcClain ,. Dissertation Approved : Accepted: /A.adA J 7- 4dL Dean df the College UY bean of the Graduate Schoor ACXNCWLEDGHENTS To undertake the writirg of a historical account of Akron's Negro residents has entailed the cooperation and assistance of many people. The writer has been 1) entrusted with personal records which provided many of the materials from which to write; 2) extended the courtesy and time to conduct interviews; 3) furnished leads to varied sources of data; 4) granted encouragement through letters supporting the need for the research; and 5) assisted through diverse accommodations. To simply mention the names of those who have aided the writer cannot possibly convey the measure in which they have assisted, but can only humbly acknowledge their part in documenting Akron's black history. Since tune and space restrict elaborate expressions of gratitude, the writer is limited simply to expressing heartfelt thanks to the following persons: Alex Adams, Rev. Harold Ashby; Archie Berry; Sheila Berry: William Blake, Eskuno Bracken: Rev. I. T. Bradley; Amanda BraZeltOn; Pmbrose Brazelton; Charles Bridges; Altha C. Brown; Edith Brown; Edward v. Brown; Raymond R. Brown; Rev. G. Lincoln Caddell; Geraldine Cahill: nary chapman: Martin 0. Chapman; Rollin Clayton; James Clucus; James Craig; Albert J. Dillehay; Marion Dixsont Ben Dominic; Elinor Dunbar, Robert N.Dunbar; mry Eagle; Georgia Edwards; William Ellison; Opie Evans; Albert Fitzpatrick: Atty. Artee Fleming! Amos Formant Rev. Ronald Fowler; William Fowler, Sr.; Aerieal Fuller; Thaddeus Garrett, Jr.: Leon Gordie; Rev. Donald Grant; Brenda Eerbert; Gussie Holmes; Mary Holmes; Frances LaRue Howard1 Katie Jackson; Joel Johnson; Marion Johnsont Tom Jones1 Gwendolyn Jordan; John Kaiser: Carolyn Lancaster; Atty. mer Lancaster; Ednah Lewis; Rev. Stanley Lynton; nargaret McClain: William McMillan: George c. Miller, Edith Delaney Mitchell; Barbara Ford Montgomery: Bert Montgomery; Bertha -re, Spurgeon Moore, Sr.2 Rev. Eugene E. Morgan1 nattie Mundy. Frances Murphey; Curtice Myers! Cleo Myricks; Dr. Lionel A. Newsom; Vernon L. mom: Beatrice O'Rourke; Conrad C. Ott; Atty. Edwin L. Parms: Dale Perry; Eerman POole; John H. Rebenack: Dr. Gus T. Ridge11 Manzie Ridgill; Faith Robinson; Dr. Haynes E. Robinson, Jr.8 Dr. Luther Robinson; Marcella Robinson, Dr. Eldridge Sharpp; Laurita Sharpp; Frances Shepard; Barbara slack, Jesse Smith; Mary Hogan Smith, Rollin Smith; Sadie Smith; Norma Spencer; Thomas J. Spencer; Leonard Stevens; Mattie Stevens; James Stewart; John Suddieth, Lloyd P. Terrell; Virginia Threatt; William M. Threatt, Jr.; Dr. Edgar Toppin; Rev. William C. Upshaw; Rayfield Wade; William V. iv , Wallace, Jr.1 Helzola Weeks; Atty. James R. Williams; David WilSOn; Dr. Lu D. Wimsr and Jessica Woods. The writer is especially appreciative of the guidance, support, and encouragement extended to her by the dissertation committee chairman, Dr. - Walter E. ms, and for the direction of the committee members, Dr. Bernard Esporite, Dr. Judith Noble, Dr. Frederick Schultz, and Dr. George W. Knepper. The conscientious efforts, personal concern, and efficiency of the typist, Wanda Abruzzino, provided the writer with abiding moral support and has been very deeply appreciated. The depth of gratitude extended to the writer's family can never be fully measured, for they have under- gone the 'behind the scenes. experiences that have demanded from them patience, love, and understanding. Thus, the writer is particularly thankful to her children-- Kelli and Scott--for sharing their mother's time with so many others, and is most especially grateful to her husband, Henry, who did everything in his power to provide the writer with the "staying power" necessary to complete the task at hand. V I .. .. J TABLE OF CONTENTS CBAPTER PAGE 1 . INTRODUCTION ................................... 1 The Problem .................................. 1 Statement of the problem ................... 1 Significance and purpose of the study ...... 1 Delimitations of the study ................. 10 Review of the Literature ..................... 17 Academic aspects of black history instruction .............................. 18 A black history of Cleveland. Ohio ......... 28 Histories of Akron. Ohio ................... 30 Review of available sources of recorda relevant to the inquiry .................. 35 Methodologies and Strategies................. 39 General Organization of the Study ............ 41 Summary ..................................... 42 I1 . AKRON'S BLACK RESIDENTS 1825-1899 ............. 43 Background Information ....................... 44 National movements in response to slavery .. 45 Early white settlers in Ohio ............... 55 Akron'a Early Black Settlers................. 64 vi \ CHAPTER PAGE General infornation on Akron's black pioneers ........................... 65 Akron's involvement in national movements regarding slavery ........................ 69 Civil War Years Through Reconstruction ....... 87 Akron's black civil war veterans ........... 81 Early steps toward unification and independence ............................. 95 Post-Reconstruction Years to 1899 ............ 101 Economic opportunities ..................... 101 Black organizations to further black progress ................................. 103 sunrmary ...................................... 110 I11 . CHANGES IN RACIAL COMPOSITIONS AND RACIAL ATTITUDES: 1900-1919 ........................... 111 The First Decade: 1900-1909 .................. 112 Civic concerns an3 political efforts ....... 112 Self-help in Akron's black community ....... 117 Early individual endeavors in Akron's black hstory ............................ 130 The Second Decade 1910-1919 ................ 133 Mounting racial hostility ................. : 134 Promotion of black consciousness and black culture ............................ 145 . vii . CHAPTER PAGE Minimal advancements despite oppreaeion .... 153 Summary ...................................... 166 N . PACIAL OPPRESSION AMONG AKRON'S BUCK .SIDENTS ...................................... 171 The Third Decade: 1920-1929 .................. 171 Political ad civic involvement of black residents .......................... 171 Economic conditions of Akron's black residents ................................ 176 The black social environment ............... 185 The Depression Years ......................... 213 General conditions among Akron's black citizens ................................. 214 Individual gains: academics. athletics. and aesthetic accomplishments ........... 220 Diversified black organizations............ 229 Summary ...................................... 243 V . ADVANCEMENTS THROUGH EMPLOYMENT. CIVIC PRIDE. AND EDUCATION 1940-1959 ....................... 249 A Decade of Hope: 1940-1949 ................. 249 Advancement through unity ................. 249 Individual accompllshments ................ 262 A Decade of Change . 1950-1959 ................ 281 Background information ..................... 281 viii CIUSTER PAGE Black progress ............................. 282 Individual accomplishments ................. 293 Smumry...................................... 305 VI . LOCAL RESPONSES TO NATIONAL ISSUES . 1960-1975 ...................................... 308 A Depiction of America-The National Scene ... 308 Local Responses to the Civil Rights Movement ................................... 311 Black Akronites protest .................... 311 Fighting poverty in Akron .................. 313 Black pride in Akron ....................... 332 Gains - Individual and Organized ............. 336 Fields of specialization ................... 337 VI1 . SUMUARX. CONCLUSIONS. AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 397 summary ...................................... 397 Conclusions .................................. 405 Recommendations .............................. 416 CLRSSIFIED BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................ 420 APPENDICES ..................................... 445 Appendix 1 ................................... 446 Appendix 2 ................................... 462 Appendix 3 ................................... 468 Appendix 4 ................................... 478 Appendix 5 ................................... 487 ix CMP!?ER I INTRODUCTION The Problem Statement of the Problem To date no historical study of the settlement, social development, and educational experiences of black residents in Akron, Ohio has been conducted. Therefore, the topic upon which research is being undertaken is the development of a general history of Akron's black resi- dents from the founding of the city in 1825 to the preeent tbe. Significance and hrrpose of the Study The importance of studying local black history is based on the same rationale as that which created the incorporation of Negro history into schools throughout the nation. In addition, there are some specific advantages for both educators and students who are educated in local black history. Ergo, in the present section of this paper the writer will focus on8 1) a presentation of background information relevant to the type of black history in text- books prior to the 1960s; 2) the rationale for its present 2 inclusion, and 3) the particular advantages of